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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

This Guarding of the Tomb of the UnknownSoldier is Positively Awesome! Soldiers have been doing this 24/7 and 365 Days per yearSince 1930.

It's more than the precision and the pomp and circumstance of it.It is the reverence and the rigor ofbeing selected to be a Guard.It is the life long commitment.

The cemetery is large and soberingIt fills you with a sense of gratitude and respect.When we were there the cherry blossoms were in full bloom!A sight particularly poignant,Never one you will forget.Every American should have the privilegeTo stand in silence and reflect.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy Question: OnJeopardy the other night, the final question was"How many steps does the guard take during hiswalk across the tomb of the Unknowns?"All three contestants missed it!

1.How many steps does the guard take during hiswalk across the tomb of the Unknownsand why?

21steps: Italludes to the twenty-one gun salute whichis thehighest honor given any

military or foreigndignitary.

2.How long does he hesitate after his about faceto begin his returnwalk and why?

21seconds for the same reason as answer number1

3.Why are his gloves wet?

Hisgloves are moistened to prevent his losing hisgrip on the rifle.

4.Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder allthe timeand,ifnot, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Theymust commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb,live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannotdrink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest oftheir lives. They cannot swear in public for therest of their lives and cannot disgrace theUniform or the tomb in any way.

Aftertwo years, the guard is given a wreath pin thatis worn ontheir lapel signifying theyserved as guard of the tomb. There are only400 presently worn. The guard must obeythese rules for the rest of theirlives orgive up the wreath pin.

Theshoes are specially made with very thick solesto keep the heat and cold from their feet.There are metal heel plates that extend tothe topof the shoe in order to make the loud click asthey cometo a halt.

There are nowrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guardsdress for dutyin front of a full-lengthmirror.

The first six months of duty aguard cannot talk to anyone norwatch TV.All off duty time is spent studying the 175notable people laidto rest inArlington National Cemetery .A guard must memorize who they are and wherethey are interred. Among the notables are:

President Taft,Joe Lewis {the boxer}Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the mostdecorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty..ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In2003 as Hurricane Isabelle wasapproaching Washington ,DC , ourUS Senate/House took 2 daysoff with anticipation of the storm. On the ABCevening news, it was reported that because ofthe dangers from thehurricane, the militarymembers assigned the duty of guarding the Tombofthe Unknown Soldier were given permissionto suspend the assignment. They

respectfully declined the offer, "No way,Sir!" Soaked to the skin,marching in thepelting rain of a tropical storm, they said thatguardingthe Tomb was not just an assignment,

it was the highest honor that can beaffordedto a service person. The tomb has been patrolledcontinuously,24/7, since 1930.

GodBless and keep them.

I'd bevery proud if this emailreached as many as possible. We can be veryproud of our young menandwomenin the service no matter where they serve.

The studying of Family and American history has been on my mind lately. Most Americans do not realize they have ancestors that fought in every major battle since the beginning of our country's history. This unknown soldier represents our own family members who fought and fell for what we have and who we are today. Friday is Flag Day. Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue.

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